EVALUATION OF Gliricidia sepium PROVENANCES IN THE INTERMEDIATE ZONE OF SRI LANKA

Abstract

Seven selected Gliricidia sepium provenances from the Oxford Forestry Institute were evaluated for growth, soil improvement, competition with Agricultural crops and woody biomass production, in two experiments, a pure plot and an alley cropping experiment, at Dodangolla Experiment Station, Kundasale in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka.

The height, basal diameter and number of branches of different provenances differed; but outstanding were local cutting, 17/84 and 14/84 at the first lopping, one year after planting. Height and diameter of local cutting were significantly better than the others due to stage of growth and availability of resource material. In the pure plot experiment the control Acacia showed its best performance in number of branches which was significantly different from G.sepium provenances. In the alley cropping experiment, local cutting and 14/84 showed better yields of agricultural crops compared to other provenances. The woody biomass production was very high in local cutting and 14/84, and significantly better than other provenances. All seven provenances contributed to improvement of soil Nitrogen (N) but only for Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), were significant differences observed among the provenances. In soil improvement, the outstanding were 14/86, 10/86, 14/84 and local cutting. These provenances could be recommended for planting for soil improvement.

After evaluating for growth, soil improvement and woody biomass production, local cutting (the best performer), 17/84, and 14/84 could be recommended as more suitable for planting in the mid-country intermediate zone of Sri Lanka.